by Rachael Wade
Murdered? Awakened? Holy crap, she really was Sleeping Beauty. Well, sort of. “Yeah, I can see how that would be…difficult. Can I ask who, who killed you?” Sensitive etiquette, be damned. I had to know.
“Samira.”
My legs sent my body catapulting straight up from the chair. “Excuse me?”
“Samira, my sister. We’re twins, in case you haven’t noticed.”
It must’ve been all the blood that rushed to my head when I stood too quickly that sent me dropping back to the rocking chair seat. I landed with a thud, my hands reaching and gripping the arm rests. I gulped. “I’m sorry, can you say that again?”
Her responsive smile was offering up sympathy now, instead of requesting some. “Samira and I are twins. She—along with your friends and some others—awakened me, as a link.”
“Awakened you...from Earth?”
“Yes. They have been trying to find a way to undo Gérard’s spell, the one that keeps you all trapped here, in this realm, even after his death. Spells by original witches, no matter how strong, usually don’t have permanent power like the one he left behind did. Once a witch dies, their spells are often broken. Of course, there are always exceptions. There are all kinds of conjure loop holes. The other originals believe Gérard’s spell was cemented due to a mixture of those loop holes and the fact that he was a hybrid. We aren’t positive, but it’s a theory.”
“You’re telling me Samira and my friends back home sent you to communicate with us? And that Samira, your sister…murdered you?”
“They’ve been trying to reach you for years, ever since they returned to Earth. Samira and I have a long, troubled relationship. She acted out in rage.” Her head dropped, as if she was ashamed of something. “I can see what led her to her actions.”
My body surged with adrenaline and I found myself back on my feet, moving toward her. I couldn’t believe this woman was justifying what her sister had done. Samira had a twin sister, and she was communicating to us with our friends, from Earth. Audrey, Gabe, Josh, Arianna, and Gavin’s mother, Erica…all trying to reach us.
Total and complete craziness.
“Anastasia,” I began slowly, calling her gaze back to mine. “You do realize you’re being awfully nonchalant about your sister killing you, right?” I moved to sit next to her, swiveling my rigid body to face her. Was this woman for real?
“I know how it must sound,” she laughed dryly, giving a shrug, “but I hurt her.”
“And you believe that warrants murder? Of a family member?” I knew Samira was responsible for immeasurable bloodshed, long before her journey to the good side, but killing her own sister? That was outrageous, even for a vicious vampire queen.
“I was originally promised the Amaranthian throne, long before the realm was ever created. Gérard seduced me, telling me he’d be my king, promising me all these wonderful things. But then he went and fell in love with Samira, and I was eventually cast aside. He never looked at me the way he looked at Samira. I was just a plaything for him.”
“That sounds like Gérard,” I said quietly, feeling a shiver roll down my back. It felt so wrong, saying his name aloud, almost like if we spoke it, we’d summon him back to life. Images of Scarlet invaded my train of thought, as did the recollection of her affair with Gérard and how it had crushed Samira. The new knowledge that Samira had endured the pain of other affairs, alongside Scarlet, cut me deeply. So much loss because of one man.
One monster.
“At first, I didn’t mind,” Anastasia continued assuredly. “Honestly. I wasn’t interested in being a mistress or second best, and they seemed truly happy together. They were in love. But Gérard’s infidelity always got the best of him. There were always other women. He began to pursue me again, and I resisted for a while...”
“But you gave in.”
“He was very persuasive.” Her words sent another chill down my spine, as I recalled the raw, dangerous, sensual power he yielded with one simple word, with one small touch. It was terrifying.
“We began to have an affair, and when Samira found out, she lost control. She was convinced I was plotting to steal the throne he had promised to her, in this new realm he was planning to create. I tried telling her that he had promised me the same thing before he ever fell in love with her, but she wouldn’t listen. She was so stubborn. Eventually, she wound up pregnant, and Gérard took her away to Amaranth. But before she left, she came for me one night and took a dagger to my heart. My magic was no match for her hybrid strength. Right before I died, she leaned over and said something to me.” A heartbroken, haunted look flashed in her eyes and her breath faltered. “She said, ‘Venom is far too kind for a thief like you.’ She took my life with a human weapon, knowing it would be more painful than a quick bite to the neck.”
Anastasia’s voice broke on a sob, and I found myself moving to hand her the mug of tea she’d set down.
“I’m so sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say.
“When I woke in the tomb, when I felt the link, I knew I must be in Amaranth. The link showed me what she’d done. She brought me here and buried me in the tomb, wanting my body close by. That’s why I look like this,” she gestured to her flawless beauty, “because she placed some kind of spell on me, to preserve me…so she could visit my grave and remember me just as I was, any time she wanted. I saw how Gérard betrayed her, too. Her regret for taking my life over him was deep.”
I watched as the betrayal and hurt passed over her features. The sorrow was palpable. “Our friend Vivienne, she was an original,” I said. “She helped us figure out how to destroy Gérard. She never mentioned you. Did you know her? Do you know why that is?”
“Ah, yes. Vivienne.” She dropped her chin with a wry smile. “I knew of her, yes. Samira and I were never close. We led very separate lives. Wouldn’t see each other for years at a time. She never spoke of me, never even acknowledged to anyone that she had a sister, especially after I began seeing Gérard. I was dead to her. Why do you ask?”
“I’m just…surprised she didn’t sense it, that the Book of the Ancients never revealed you to her.”
“Yes, well, it is selective like that, only showing what it wishes to whom it wishes, when necessary.”
“So, you were never a frozen soul? You’ve never been to Amaranth?”
“No. I can’t believe you’re stuck here, that you destroyed Gérard and his curse. I…I never thought he’d lose. He locked Samira up here to do his dirty work, while he made Earth his playground. He always got what he wanted, every time.”
“He still did, technically.” My gaze dropped to my lap, remembering the faces of our cherished friends and family, whom we were cut off from.
“Well, now we have a chance to set it right, in its entirety.”
“We can do that?” My mind suddenly raced with possibilities. “How?”
“Samira chose me to communicate with you not just because she needed a witch for the link, but because she wants my forgiveness. She wants to make amends, and she wants to free you all from Amaranth—for good, this time. She’s found a way to unite you all and bring you home.”
My hands were trembling now, but not because of fear. “You’re saying…are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
For the first time since Anastasia had woken up, a full-blown genuine smile lit up her face, and the tears that spilled down her cheeks were from joy, not the impact of her sister’s betrayal.
“Yes. Samira and your friends have joined forces with original witches on Earth. They’ve found a way to undo Gérard’s spell, the one that holds you here. They know how to reopen the bayou portal.”
“What?” I jumped to my feet, my heart racing along with my head, every cell in me bursting with urgency. “How, when…please, I need details!”
“The link instructed me to tell you to be at the old portal entry when the next crescent moon rises.”
I flung myself forward, hugging the stranger before me. I didn’t care who
she was or how she’d hurt Samira. I didn’t care about anything at that moment except the words coming from her mouth. The revelation that this wasn’t the end for us, that this wasn’t the end for Amaranth, threw me into action. We weren’t trapped here for eternity, and we would see our friends again. “This can’t be real,” I murmured, my tears soaking into Anastasia’s hair. “I have to find Gavin!” I released her and darted for Ava’s room, carefully lifting her from her bed.
She whimpered and clung to me in protest. “Mommy, I wanna stay in bed.”
“I know, baby, but this can’t wait. We have to find Daddy and celebrate!”
Anastasia waited patiently, wiping her eyes and finishing her tea, while I worked to secure shoes on Ava’s feet.
“Did Samira’s link show you anything about our friends? Will they all be at the portal? Is everyone okay?”
“Yes, they’re all alive and well. Samira made sure to show me they were all involved with this.”
“Okay, let’s get to the castle and tell Gavin. We’ll make an announcement and explain everything to the Amaranthians as soon as we get back.” I smiled widely and pecked Ava on the nose, moving for the door. She rested her sleepy head on my shoulder. Anastasia followed, hurriedly rushing to my side. I unlocked the door and halted as a wall of faces greeted me, their expressions hard and unyielding. Blazing torches lit the night air, their flames crackling. I scanned the crowd, my brain registering the faces immediately.
The group of wary, disapproving villagers and ex-guards from the Haven.
“Going somewhere?” One of the men asked, gripping a hatchet in one hand.
7
“What’s the meaning of this?” the man demanded, his eyes widening and straining through the darkness to focus on Anastasia, Samira’s green-eyed twin.
“It can’t be!” someone shouted. The group began to chatter all at once, their voices growing more enraged by the second.
“Hold on, will you?” I spoke up, gripping Ava tightly against my body. She was fully awake now, her scared little face burying into my neck. “I know how this looks, but this isn’t Samira. Everything will be explained to you, but first we need to get to the castle to speak to Gavin. We have news—great news!”
Before I could tell them to step aside so we could be on our way, three villagers lunged toward us, seizing us by the arms and forcing us out into the street.
“Get your hands off me!” I shrieked, instant fury building as they pried Ava from me. She screamed, kicking and thrashing as one of the ex-guards worked to restrain and calm her. Anastasia protested quietly by my side, wiggling and fighting the hold of another villager’s arms. She glanced to Ava and then me, her distressed expression as helpless as my own.
After spending time as a frozen soul, there was nothing more infuriating than being unable to protect myself or the ones I love. Being reduced to mere human strength and old-school weapons was beyond terrifying, especially when we were outnumbered. Gavin and I knew some basic magic, but we weren’t witches. The little we’d learned would never be enough to protect our family. Conjuring was like learning another language. If you didn’t practice regularly, you lost your touch.
“When Gavin finds out you touched me and my daughter, he’ll—”
“He’ll what, huh?” my captor laughed, rolling his eyes. “What’s he gonna do, your majesty, lock us up in the castle tower?” He yanked my arms hard behind my back, lowering his mouth close to my ear. “No more special powers to keep you safe. No more playing king and queen. We have protection of our own, and we don’t bow down to you anymore.”
“No one ever said you had to bow to us,” I spat. “Why are you doing this?”
“Leave them alone,” Anastasia said, her voice timid but firm. “What do you want?”
“Answers, for one thing,” he looked down at me, his lips curling in anger, “like what you found in that secret passage. I guess we have the answer to that right here, though, don’t we?”
“I’m not Samira,” Anastasia countered, “I’m her twin sister. If you look hard enough, you’ll see that.”
“A twin? Since when?”
“It’s news to me, too,” I said.
“Well, you’re going to tell us all about it. In the Haven.”
I yanked to the left with a shout. “You’re scaring my daughter! Let her go! We’re not going anywhere with you!”
“You wanna bet?” He jerked me back, reminding me who was in charge. “We’ve been standing on the sidelines for years now, ever since you and your friends trapped us in this damn realm, watching as you rebuilt this place and tried to call it home. It will never be home. Home is Earth, and you stole that from us! You built your stupid little restaurant, had your adorable family, and decorated your sickeningly sweet little home, while we labored away, building new villages and learning how to conjure. It’s because of us you have food and clothing and shelter.”
“You volunteered to do those things! We aren’t dictators, we never ordered you to do anything.” Ava’s cries pierced my heart, but I worked hard to stay focused on this maniac’s words. I had to speak to him, had to reason with him and talk him down somehow, if I expected to escape. I couldn’t depend on Gavin, even if he returned. Not now. Not when we were outnumbered like this. Too much was at stake.
Ava was in danger.
The crowd voiced their agreement in the street, encouraging the man to put me in my place.
“Before you share your news, we have some news of our own, honey,” he chided, eyeing his friends. “All that time we spent learning how to conjure? It paid off. We’re the resident witches, now. Our magic is strong, and it’s only going to get stronger. It’s your turn to bow to us.”
“All of a sudden you have a problem with what we’ve done with the realm? We’ve been here for years. It wasn’t our fault you didn’t make it to Earth before the portal closed. If I didn’t kill Gérard when I did, we’d never be free from the frozen soul curse, don’t you get that? He would’ve continued to rule and persecute our people. Is that what you wanted? You wanted to be a prisoner for eternity? I’m sorry I couldn’t save everyone. I’m sorry not everyone made it out on time, but it was better than the alternative.”
“Why, because you say so? You and the resistance went and made that decision all on your own, and we’re supposed to just smile and be grateful you did? Not everyone was on board with that plan, did that ever occur to you? Now we are prisoners for eternity! You think we feel this way all of a sudden?” He scoffed in disbelief, gesturing to his friends. “We’ve had a problem with it since day one, which you would’ve noticed if you paid any damn attention! When you trapped us here, we didn’t have much of a choice, now did we? So we blended in, retreated quietly. Went along with your stupid plan to play house, picked up as many conjure lessons as we could, studied every piece of information we could get our hands on. That library you set up in the castle? It’s been pretty handy. Now we know more about the witches’ magic than any of the other villagers, and you know what?” He shot me a menacing smile. It was one I recognized well.
Revenge was written all over it.
“We’re ready to use it.”
Anastasia surprised me by speaking up, her voice suddenly turning cocky. “With what?” she quipped, “hatchets and kitchen knives? If your magic is so strong now, why defend yourselves with silly human weapons?”
The man restraining me turned his glare on Anastasia, sizing her up as if she were a dish he was ready to eat. “Human weapons can be pretty fun,” he tossed back. “Messy, but fun. Hang around, sweetie. We’ll show you just how effective they can be.”
“You sadistic son of a bitch,” she fumed, holding his glare. “This was never how our magic was intended to be used. You’re no better than Gérard, perverting it and turning it into something vile!”
“Our magic?”
Chills shot straight from my head to the soles of my feet. Anastasia swallowed, her eyes flicking to mine.
“You were
…were a witch, just like your sister, weren’t you?” He stepped closer to her, dragging me with him.
“No,” she answered quietly, her gaze dropping to the ground. She shut her eyes, appearing to be focusing on something. Her jaw clenched and she squeezed them tighter, breathing deep before opening them and lifting her glare again. “It’s not that I was,” she said sweetly, “It’s that I am. And for future reference, sweetie? It’s not wise to threaten an original.”
Realization hit the man like a tidal wave, and he staggered back, sending a nervous glance to his friends. “Hey, wait. Just wait a minute, now…”
Anastasia’s arms were suddenly free as the man who’d been restraining her was blasted up into the air and landed somewhere down the street. A painful crash echoed off the cobblestone, and then I was released next. My captor’s grip was forcefully ripped from me, and he too was sent flying.
Everything happened faster than I could blink.
Ava was whisked straight back into my arms, an invisible force carrying her swiftly out of another man’s grip.
“Sorry, Camille,” Anastasia said, “I’ve been weak since I awakened. I wasn’t sure my magic was strong enough yet, or if my powers would even return.” She thrust her arms forward and gave the group of shocked villagers a flick of her wrist, sending them soaring up and off their feet. Their screams ruptured all around us as they flailed into the air and came crashing down, their flaming torches plummeting to the street like sinking fireballs.
Two of the men quickly recovered, hell bent on retaliating. They raised their arms, lifting the torches with their magic and sending them soaring in our direction. “Men,” she mumbled, directing another jolt toward them, knocking them off their feet.
“Get inside, Camille!” She deflected the torches from hitting their targets with another swish of her wrist, then pushed me and Ava back toward the door, shielding us. I covered Ava’s head and dashed inside, skidding to a stop when I heard Gavin yelling out in the street.
